Top 10 Best Movie Soundtracks of All-Time

Good soundtracks can make even a bad movie watchable. Familiar pop tunes, comforting folk songs, and even strange alternative music can turn an average movie into a classic. Music can simply express things better than dialogue or stage directions can.

Note: for this list, I will be focusing purely on soundtracks that include popular music and not orchestral scores or musicals.

#10: Baby Driver (2017)

Though this movie is fairly new, it had a compelling soundtrack that was loved by audiences. The film about a getaway driver, Baby (Ansel Elgort), making a getaway from his own lifehad a daring mix of both old artists, like The Beach Boys and Simon and Garfunkel, and more modern artists like Beck. It’s toe-tapping tunes will make you feel like you’re sitting in the passenger seat of Baby’s crimson Subaru while he maniacally swerves down the road. It’s exactly the kind of fun-loving soundtrack that makes this an exhilarating action movie.

This franchise had absolute bangers from artists like Sean Paul and Chris Brown to more techno and dubstep hits from Steve Aoki and Diplo. Not to mention the franchise had numerous notable tracks from Flo Rida, including “Low” (Step Up 2: The Streets, [2008]), “Club Can’t Handle Me” (Step Up 3D [2010]), and “Let It Roll” (Step Up Revolution, [2014]–though not on the official soundtrack, it was used in a montage sequence). The soundtracks from all five movies are definitely ones to play at a party or to get pumped up.

Image via Variety

#8: Full Metal Jacket (1987)

This may be an odd choice for this list, but it’s one of my personal favorites.

Americans have a deep affinity for 60s culture and music. Not only does it have classics like “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” and “Paint It Black,” it also has the genius of Stanley Kubrick’s music placement in the film. Kubrick’s skilled way of contrasting horror with happiness is what creates an almost haunting soundtrack.

The firefight with The Trashmen’s “Surfin’ Bird” playing in the background will stick in your mind forever. The grim opening sequence where the Marine recruits glumly have their heads shaved to the twangy ballad of “Hello Vietnam” is also quite memorable.

#7: Easy Rider (1969)

When two young hippies, Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper) travel across the country, they end up finding themselves. Cruising along to tunes from Steppenwolf, The Byrds, and Bob Dylan, this movie perfectly encapsulates the freedom of the 60s counterculture movement.

As soon as those first few chords of “Born to Be Wild” ring out, you are automatically transported onto a Harley Davidson in the middle of the desert, wind and dust blowing through your long hair and the heat beating down on your leather jacket.

This soundtrack mainly earns its place on this list for its nostalgia, but it still has some great song choices on there. Definitely a time machine to that great decade.

Image via The Telegraph

#6: The Graduate (1967)

Starring Dustin Hoffman as Benjamin Braddock, The Graduate tells the story of a recent college graduate in an affair with his older lover and her daughter. Once again, this movie gives off that distinctive 60s vibe that audiences love. While this soundtrack only features songs from Simon and Garfunkel and Dave Grusin, it doesn’t diminish its iconic status.

As soon as the opening credits roll to the haunting melody of “The Sound of Silence,” you are entranced. It just seems natural that a movie about becoming an adult is filled with songs that–while they may sound happy–all seem to give off just that little sadness of lost childhood. Even “Mrs. Robinson,” a more upbeat, joyful tune, has tinges of depression.

Simon and Garfunkel’s longing ballads turn this romantic comedy-drama into an insightful film illuminating that painful process of growing up.

Image via Inside Higher Ed

#5: Saturday Night Fever (1977)

With the talent of a young John Travolta as a disco dancing king, this is an iconic film and soundtrack. Featuring hits from the Bee Gees and KC and the Sunshine Band, even if you haven’t seen the movie, you know the songs. “Stayin’ Alive” and “Boogie Shoes” are certifiable classics.

The disco soundtrack perfectly complements this 1970s movie about an Italian American teenager living in New York with a dead-end job and no prospects. With the combination of those sexy Travolta moves and some 70s nostalgia, Saturday Night Fever earns its place as number five on my list.

Image via Today

#4: Forrest Gump (1994)

Who doesn’t love watching America’s favorite actor, Tom Hanks? While this movie actually has a fantastic orchestral score, its pop soundtrack is equally as amazing. Hits like “Fortunate Son” and “For What It Is Worth” grace the Vietnam scenes; “Turn Turn Turn” accompanies the hippie counterculture sequence; “Sweet Home Alabama” serenades Forrest’s return to Alabama.

Once again, this soundtrack creates a time machine to that tumultuous era. Perfect choice of music for a nearly perfect movie (would be perfect if I didn’t end up nearing bawling my eyes out at the end of it–everytime).

Image via Parade

#3: Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

By now, most people have seen this amusing superhero movie and have enjoyed the soundtrack just as I have, so I won’t dawdle on it too long. However, let me just say that “Hooked On a Feeling,” “Cherry Bomb,” and “O-o-h Child” were fabulous choices for a genre that can sometimes be too dramatic (I’m looking at you DC).

#2: Megamind (2010)

This movie utilizes some of the most talented comedians–Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Ben Stiller–to create an absolutely hilarious movie. I feel like this movie’s classic rock soundtrack gets ignored, so I’m giving it the recognition it deserves.

#1: 8 Mile (2002)

Odd choice, I know, but let’s not forget–it’s an Oscar-winning movie. “Lose Yourself” won Best Original Song in 2003, and for good reason. Starring Marshall Mathers (Eminem) as Jimmy “B-Rabbit,” a blue-collar worker hoping for a chance to make it big as a rapper, this movie had some of rap’s greatest hits of the 2000s. Cooperating with artists like Obie Trice, Nas, and 50 Cent, Eminem creates one of the most memorable soundtracks in drama.

While rap may not be everyone’s cup of tea, you have to admit that the raw lyrics of Marshall Mathers are inspiring. They truly paint the picture of desperation and hope that 8 Mile portrays to audiences. As soon as you hear those first words spit into the mic, you too feel like you can overcome any insurmountable odds. After all, “opportunity comes once in a lifetime.”

Image via Daily Beast

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23 Responses

Some good ones for sure, but I think the soundtrack to The Blues Brothers should be in there. The great talents of Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and Cab Calloway are all worthy of praise! The players in the Blues Brothers band are R&B Royalty and do an amazing job backing Belushi and Ackroyd. Just my humble opinion.

LOVED the playlists from Baby Driver and Guardians of the Galaxy, they were so catchy…I’ve just watched Black Panther, and The Greatest Showman and I have to say, both their playlists are amazing, they’ve been on repeat ever since! 🙂
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Like to see your take of orchestral movie scores which are more complex than songs. Movie can make or break a movie but scores truly set the tone and pacing of a movie. We all know of course of the great John Williams but there are other great composers who give the movie it’s soul.

Good list! It’s very hard to pick at top 10 because there are so many good ones. I love the soundtracks from Trainspotting, Pulp Fiction, Pretty in Pink, A Hard’s Day Night, The Crow, Purple Rain but my personal number #1 is The Wall.

Some great choices! I hate when people comment “I would have…” on my best-of song lists, so I won’t do it to you. The “Forrest Gump” and “Saturday Night Fever” soundtracks are certainly two of the best, and I own both. “Lose Yourself” is arguably the best song ever to come from a movie, and is one of my all-time favorite songs. And the impact Simon & Garfunkel’s music had on making “The Graduate” the exceptional classic it remains to this day is undeniable.

I absolutely love “Lose Yourself,” but I am a pretty big Eminem fangirl. And some soundtracks are just classics, especially “Saturday Night Fever” and “The Graduate.” I know you said you didn’t want to post one of those “I would have…” comments, but I honestly love those comments! So, if you have any others you would have added, feel free to comment! That’s why I tag these under discussion, too!